Looking for some Ottawa area riders (BMW or otherwise)

Just got a BMW R1200GSA over Christmas and will be looking to get some short jaunts in and around the Ottawa area. I don't have a whack of time (young family) but looking at some infrequent 2-4 hour treks on the odd weekends. Not really keen on any "GS" or "Dual-sport" rides as I am just getting back into riding after being away from it for about 18 years. To be honest, most rides will be sedate and just need to get some seat time and maybe some bike talk as well.

I have a couple buddies on sport bikes and harleys that will join in as well at times.

an AWESOME day ride for you is RTE-307!!! one of the most beautiful roads in quebec :tb you can catch it from AUT-50 and take it all the way up to Notre-Dame-du-Laus. hold on tight, some NICE twisty sections along the way.

Yes I agree about 307. My folks live up in Val des bois. The route through Cantley is far more fun than the 50 through Buckingham and up. The problem with the twisties past Cantley is the sand on the roads at times. Never ridden any of these on a motorcycle but way too many times in a car.

I am near Carp. So, planning routes like Foymount, #1 to Pembroke (which is fantastic in the fall), Calabogie.

... Not really keen on any "GS" or "Dual-sport" rides as I am just getting back into riding after being away from it for about 18 years. To be honest, most rides will be sedate and just need to get some seat time and maybe some bike talk as well.
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Sounds like a safe approach. Given that it's been 18 years, you should also consider taking a refresher course in the spring:

Yep, signed up for it last fall whenever they schedule the first one. Also, just bought a nice white helmet and will be getting HighViz vest on top of full ATGATT. I am not going into this with any ignorance/arrogance that I can ride like I did right off the bat.

Hoping to maybe get out on the track at Calabogie or Mosport for maybe some cornering/braking practice.

More the merrier Ed. Very relaxed group of riders except for Father Time (Eric - older than dirt) .

We go a pace that is comfortable for everyone. For those who are new to off-road riding etc. we take it easy and let them know the big pitfalls well in advance. Otherwise we take the more sensible rides. keep me posted.

More the merrier Ed. Very relaxed group of riders except for Father Time (Eric - older than dirt) .

We go a pace that is comfortable for everyone. For those who are new to off-road riding etc. we take it easy and let them know the big pitfalls well in advance. Otherwise we take the more sensible rides. keep me posted.

+1 For the Kilmar road. It's rough, pockmarked and tortured thanks to the countless rigs that use it to ferry crap all over creation. I've got a cottage up in Harrington and know of some sweet dirt/single track in this area (Rouge valley and the Highlands). I am looking forward to getting my KLR out an about.
So lets keep this thread going and hopefully some of us can meet up (as I'd like some direction & education of the west of Ottawa) as I live in the East.
I too have a young family and time is tight- I also work shifts and have the bulk of my riding time during the week. However time for a good ride can be made on the weekend with advance notice.
Cheers

A group of us go riding on Saturdays (a few klr's are usually there FYR), mostly light offroad trails and dirt road type of terrain. We normally leave from Merrickville or Carelton Plave depending on the route. If this thread is alive I will post prior to the weekend for those who are new to the area or for those who arent but are looking for someone to ride with. Tick tock, 3 months till riding season starts up, look forward to seeing you folks again

Thanks Deadly. Id love to explore that neck of the woods. This thread will be tucked away and ready to be activated when the time is right
Speaking of time, I thumped up and down my street with the bike today. I actually made 2nd gear (as opposed to my first ride in the backyard, pic included) and washed the front tire out.
<a href="http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u55/fyr_photo/?action=view&current=DSCN1260.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u55/fyr_photo/DSCN1260.jpg" border="0" alt="Klr in the snow"></a>

Out in Renfrew here, usually get out to do some good riding and know most of the roads around Renfrew, Eganville, Bancroft areas. I tend to avoid the usual bike roads (like Calbogie to Grifith) because they start to look like a wasp-nest in the summer there are so many bikes. Prefer to be out on the roads where no one else is. I am planning on organizing a pavement - mostly gravel ride some weekend that will do a big loop starting somewhere around Arnprior and cover about 400-500km.

I'll Let everyone know when I've got something... Got to do some practice riding this spring as a buddy and I are goin' to Inuvik this summer!